My Husband, My Life, My Love, My Family, My Cancer
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Moomala jumping in with Candy and chocolate candy-truffles. If we're too late we're on pocket duty for results.
Tanya
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Pocket duty for you Moomala! Sorry if I’m late, I’ll hang around in your pocket anyway and I have some very fresh homemade chocolate chip cookies to share. Fingers crossed for your results. 🌻
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Sorry I’m late for pocket duty too but I’m in!
Micmel, your poor niece, is she eligible for a transplant? A former coworker of mind was diagnosed stage 5 kidney failure due to uncontrolled diabetes, he’s 34, I think and on meds until they find a donor.
Thanks for the pocket duty, scans are still stable 😁 Still unable to eat solid food but dealing with it.
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I'm always in for pocket duty too! I'm sorry for everything that everyone is going through. Life is hard! Scans, loss of loved ones, Infections, transplants, insurance issues. I mean I know we are strong women but good Lord give us a break! I'm glad we have this place to vent.
DG, while I am very fond of Imodium, I think I'll go for the chocolate chip cookies. I am bringing margaritas because I think we could all use a drink at this point. Moomala I'll save yours. No mixing xanax and alcohol
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Mae~She is being put on the transplant list. They are currently testing family. I do not qualify. Either does my sister. She’s got severe circulation issues from past drug issues.... ones she of course regrets now. When the damage is done. So they are arranging dialysis now. Which will be everyday I believe. Life is hard. I’m worried about you too tough woman. So good to see you checking in. Thank you!
I totally agree with Lego..... GIVE our ladies a break! the sun is at least shining. Not raining. Finally. Hugs to alll. Sinuses are flaming. I hate sinus issues Grannax, didn’t you have sinus issues on Ibrance ? Tanya ? Have you?
hi Boo Boo!0 -
Moomala,
Late as usual, but reporting for pocket duty. Best of luck to you my dear.
Mel,
I, too, picked up a cold somewhere. Probably at the supermarket. My immune system is so compromised that I can’t fight anything off. My MO told me to wear a mask when I go out. Of course, I didn’t listen. I’m paying for it now.
Also, I will pray that your niece is ok and won't need a transplant. This is so awful.
Love to all.
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hello friends!
checking in here, it’s been a while. I’ve been going through this and that and energy has been lower than usual.
Mae glad you are handling the liquid diet as well as can be. I am still rooting for improvement of the nerves that help you swallow!
Moomoola I had D when I started lexapro too. I have to have to take with food or else the D will absolutely happen. I found taking it with breakfast was my best bet. Hope this resolves soon for you.
I’m late for pocket duty but I brought some peanut butter chocolate ice cream (my fav!!).
mel ugh sinus infections are the pits. They just drain the life right out of ya! I hope you can clear it ASAP and feel like yourself again!I am still recovering from the gastritis attack. I have an endoscopy next Wednesday morning to see what’s happening in the ol’ stomach. I hear the drugs are very nice for this procedure 😂 I am almost better just feeling low energy and some yummy tenderness still. But I am now on Protonix and I think that may remain this way for the unforeseeable future. So another drug added to my regimen. Let’s see so that Ibrance letrozole lexapro protonix Lupron and xygeva - never mind the supplements. Now that I added protonix I have had to add a vitamin B complex. So supplement wise it’s vitamin b complex vitamin D a cal/mag plus supplement, mushroom complex and I was taking melatonin but somehow having the time of not eating with the gastritis I have weaned off melatonin and coffee. So no more melatonin for now.
Oh and had my insurance grievance appeal teleconference yesterday morning. That was bizarre too. I’ll find out in 5 business days by mail their decision on my life and getting a Petscan.
what a CRAZY journey this medical stuff is!!
waving hello and sharing hugs to those accepting them to all the beautiful souls on this thread: Mel, moomoola, soccormom, SondraF, Rosie24, Mara, MJ, Mae, Tanya, booboo, dodgersgirl, ruror, Legomaster, Candy, Lynne, and anyone else I am missing!!! ❤️🧡💛❤️🧡💛❤️🧡💛💞💞
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Hi gang
Philly can you give yourself b-12 shots? Just wondering since you do acupuncture and my acupuncture doctor gives them to me.
Mae a liquid diet sounds doable but I know you love to eat delicious food so hope this passes soon. You must've lost a lot of weight.
Mel I had a minor sinus infection and sometimes drippy nose. Are you taking antibiotics?
PhillyI think you're the one who's having pet scan insurance problems. I would be crying by now. What a decision that insurance has to make. It should automatically be covered.
Moomala I hope things went well yesterday. I love chocolate peanut butter ice cream and chocolate chip cookies.
Booboo you're never too late, we saved you some. Sorry to hear about your cold. Do you still have guests?Had some family issues this week stepmom(my father is deceased) but they have 2 sons-young men. Anyway she thought it was ok to introduce my daughters ex-husband to her friend. My daughter has 5 children and 17 years of marriage to the ex. I think it's horrendous but would really like to hear anyone's opinion. They been divorced for 3 or 4 years and child support and visitation have been real struggles. I don't care what he does with his romantic life but I just think anyone else in the world can play match maker not my stepmom. Thoughts?
Thanks ladies.
Tanya
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Tanya,
I agree. I would feel the same way as you do if my Stepmom played matchmaker that way. Do you have a relationship with her where you can talk to her about it?
Yes, our guests are still here. They are leaving on Friday night. I really have enjoyed their visit, but two weeks is a long time, so looking forward to getting my house back!
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Booboo there is no way on earth I could have houseguests for more than a day or two. I am way too tired. How do you do it???? I am starting to think about asking my oncologist to lower my dosage of Afinitor now. I'm just really tired. Again, lexapro in the mix has not been helpful but I'm hoping to tough the lexapro nausea and diarrhea out while my body adjusts Today has not been an awesome day. I'm just tired and feeling a little sick to my stomach and don't want to eat. My legs feel a little weak and my back hurts. Not cool.
Tanya I absolutely would be offended by your stepmother's action. That is crossing a social boundary in my opinion.
Philly is protonix an antacid like Prilosec? Is your mushroom complex Turkey Tail? I am considering adding this to my supplements. I kind of feel like lexapro is making depression/anxiety worse at the moment. Luckily Dr Google supports this idea. People always say "oh I had NO side effects" I have never been able to stay on them because of the side effects, largely the nausea. Ugh.
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Booboo my daughter told her that it was weird and basically mind her business. And yes we do have a relationship with her so it’s deeply offensive.
Moomala I can have family for a bit longer than friends but a week is about my limit. My husband does better with a couple of days. I hear a lot of people talk about turkey tail. Maybe I’ll try that supplement.
Tanya
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Can I come in and plop myself down on the couch? Can I have a cup of tea and some sympathy? I started my clinical trial today. It has been a long day with labs, appointment, and treatment. I was supposed to meet with a counselor who has been helping me deal with this stuff, and I was supposed to go to an in-person support group. Really needed both. But I can’t do either because I am 2 1/2 hours behind schedule. I thought, how can I find some support right now? And I thought of Mel’s living room. I am hooked up to an IV infusion, while my buns ache from faslodex shots. I have swallowed my trial med and a med for side effects. I did not know that I would be treated in a different part of my cancer center because I am on a trial. So I am away from the people I have come to know and trust, and who know me. The nurses here were not very confident or knowledgeable about faslodex shots because they don’t do them all the time like the nurses in my onc’s clinic do. So I got really tearful and asked for them to get someone with more experience. The NP came and did them. She was kind, but I am a little embarrassed. Great first impression, there, ShetlandPony. I hate these shots so much, and how I always hurt while on them. Feeling sorry for myself. What a crappy way to live.
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Aw Shetland my friend I want to wrap you up in a hug let your tears fall that need to fall. That’s A LOT to deal with in one day! Trust me when I tell you I cry to every.single.doctor or nurse or anyone in the medical establishment I need to see. I am such a cryer!!!
And you know what, getting a faslodex injection is no joke (haven’t had it, but I’ve read the posts!) so good for you for sticking up for yourself and self-advocating for someone with experience to give you that horrid shot! Any medical device that cuts through the skin barrier is considered INVASIVE. It is an INVASION to our bodies to have these endless shots, surgeries, Chemos, radiations, whatever procedure or medication we are on, we are invading our bodies on SO many levels. And I do believe our energy fields go outside of ourselves a few feet at least. So there’s an energetic boundary being crossed AND physical boundaries being crossed.
I work hard to stay aware of this in my acupuncture practice. Some of us are more sensitive than others (me me me!) and my energy gets so screwed up if the wrong person works on me.
Anyway, don’t feel bad about crying and demanding the best care for yourself. We go through enough with the mental aspect of an MBC diagnosis on its own. Lots of love and hugs and proud of you for speaking up even if it brought some tears to the surface!! ❤️🧡💛❤️🧡💛
Tanya I take a blend called Dr. Mercola’s fermented mushroom blend. From all my research, it contains all the right immune boosting cancer fighting mushrooms that we want: Maitake, shiitake, turkey tail, cordiceps and Reishi. I love mushrooms and fungi! Also, I am taking oral bcomplex. In the state of PA, acupuncturists are not permitted to give injections in our scope of practice. It varies state to state. You are so lucky you live in a state that allows that! We are working on it here.
Love and hugs to all,
Philly
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Shetland, Mel's living room is where you can come when your hair is messy and your mascara has run. You can have a chocolate chip cookie, some Immodium on a cracker, and Legomaster was talking about Xanax and alcohol, which sounded particularly yummy. I read here almost daily. Love and hugs to all.
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Shetland, yes this is a wonderful living room full of arms around you, in your pockets when having scans or just scared of something in general. It is usually very active in here which is also nice. Stay awhile please. I am sorry you did not get to be with the group you are used to and with new people. Also, I am known to cry at the doctor myself, whether it is bad news or just not getting my way. It is my vent either for anger or sadness and sometimes fear. I cry because sometimes I am angry and yelling just is not always appropriate.
I had a good day today. It was sunny, cold but the snow had melted so I could wear sneakers. Decided to go further than I have in a long time and walked 5 kms or 3.1 miles just for a cheesy garlic pizza melt. I am testing my walking limits outdoors as it feels so good to do the walking. Mentally and physically has been beneficial. Fueled up with some ground liver, shredded cheese, queso for binding, spinach and a few crunched up tortilla chips for brunch. Delicious. I managed to walk the whole way with only a few stops of a couple of seconds to get my breath. The way home was easier. Tomorrow is supposed to be snowy so will probably add boots or simply cleats to my shoes to make sure I do not slip and slide all over. I do have a treadmill but have developed a preference for outdoor walking since it does not feel boring.
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Shetland,
Brewing some tea for you right now. What a day, it sounds like! Don't worry about "first impressions" -- I'm sure that everyone understands. Tomorrow will be better.
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Runor, my wig is slightly askew, but fortunately my mascara is waterproof. I have already taken the Imodium required by the study. I have chills — I guess it is called rigors — now, and the nurse is talking about Demerol. Just slow the infusion! I tried to tell them I need stuff slower than usual. I don't want that drug added to the four I have already had today. But they don't know me here so they don't listen. Trying a warm blanket and hot tea. Brrrrr.
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Thank you all for your kind words! Crying some more now. You know how it is when someone is nice to you.
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Shetland, I feel like crying too if someone is kind to me. I am glad that you are feeling welcome and warm with support.
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ShetlandPony— waving your direction.. sending a gentle hug. Your description of the day wore me out just from reading. So sorry that Infusion center hasn’t learned more of the tricks of the trade.
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Shetland pony sounds like a pajama party in Mels living room.ill hold your hand gently while you cry and when you’re done I’ll cry or maybe will cry with you. The tears do come down.
My grandkids from Upstate NY and our pj party.
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I cry when I get sympathy too!!
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Shetland - I think we figure we know the drill but when the drill gets out of whack for whatever reason (delays, different techs, missing paperwork, insurance hassles, bad injections, removal of our comfort supports to help cope and manage with things we can't control) it gets really frustrating and tiring. Add that to a long day with a strange new drug and no wonder you are upset! Give yourself some slack and let that frustration and sadness out. Also - chills are totally not fun. I'm not sure if I would rather have hot flashes or chills - with one you can turn on a fan with the other you need to drink tea or pile on about four blankets.
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Shetland~and I go way back. She has always had a chair of her own. I’m very pleased to see you here. I am wrapping my arms around you my friend, welcome back to you. I hope you find love here in our second home.
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Tanya, I wish we had a like button. You and the grandkids are so cute.
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those grandkids are absolutely perfect. Loving that photo Tanya!!!
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Shetland I'm so glad to see you here and yes I too am glad that you asked for what you needed. I cry when someone is kind to me too. I did that in the ER a few weeks ago. The nurse was updating some of my meds with her back to me and I, in a very small voice said "Wendy?" She said "Yes honey". I said "Cancer sucks" She turned around and said "I know it does honey - you have more guts than anyone in this ER tonight". I just cried and cried.
Tanya what cute grandkids!
Today is thoracic surgeon day. I had the PET scan the other day. Kind of no big deal. They wanted me to swallow some barium but for some reason they changed their minds and just gave me water instead. Sitting in the dark room waiting for the radioactive sugar stuff to get through my bod was kind of nice. I fell asleep a couple of times. Easy machine but I wore my eye mask anyway so i wouldn't feel claustrophobic. Anyway I am trying HARD to keep myself directed today. I have a lung tumor that has not moved or changed in a year and assumed to be mbc especially after it shrunk a bit on Ibrance, and somehow suddenly I'm seeing a thoracic surgeon because a radiologist says the tumor is spiculated and looks like primary lung cancer. How in the world are they going to handle me now. The tumor is in a place where it cannot be biopsied so now what. I have been doing great with no stress up until this week. I wasn't having too many scared feelings but I noticed this week that I was not eating much and felt a little wonky. This morning I woke up filled with dread. I hate this damned disease so much. My uncle who was dx metastatic renal cancer at the same time I was dx mbc has decided no more treatment and went into hospice this week after a fall that landed him in the hospital this week. The other day a woman checking me in for PET scan told me that she had head and neck cancer after 47 years of smoking cigarettes. She told me she's never exercised a day in her life. I just sat there thinking about quitting smoking 25 years ago, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising 4-5 days a week since 1985 ( started back in the Jane Fonda VHS days) that cancer really is random.
Anyway today I need some pocket assistance.0 -
Moomala,
Deep breaths. I hope your meeting with the thoracic surgeon goes well. In for pocket duty.
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Shetland,
First of all, I HATE Faslodex shots. Who in their right mind would come up with shots in the rump to combat cancer? I will not take that again. I just won’t. So you are in good company.
So I spiked a fever last night out of nowhere. I woke up this morning sick again. I am SO sick of being sick. I want to sit down and cry too. And I am not a crier. I can’t seem to fight off anything. I am going to look into the mushrooms and other immune boosters too. I would just like one week of feeling good. Isthat too much to ask?
I can totally see why people stop treatment.
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Reporting for needed pocket duty with homemade shortbread cookies from DH in hand. Sinus infection still trying to stake its claim. Wow those things really cause some discomfort annoying kind. If I'm making too much noise. Sorry. I'm just a chatter.
Whoever had company for two weeks. You deserve a medal No effin way Id be over the edge after one night. I need my routine daily and that's what I like. I don't like the holidays much because for some Reason someone said you get together with family during this time of the year. Screw the rest. Lol. That's seriously how it feels sometimes with how busy everyone is with life. It's crazy.
Anyone who needs a hug I am here all showered and handing them with my mask on. BooBoo~ wtf is going on with us? Waving to Tanya. Rosie, Mara, Candy, Sondra , lego, sweet Mae on my mind. Moomala of course. BevJen! Anyone else. I'll be back for sure Runor hello my friend, always love seeing you here. Hugs !!
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